Hi5! We are still just as excited about our 5 year old as the day when the doctor pronounced,"You're Pregnant!" Yep, we're still jumping for joy,and so is he! We are sharing our joy,disappointments,successes and challenges as a family with a child touched by AUTISM-a neurological condition considered a developmental disability.If you care to share, please do.Join us on Google Blogger/Reader/Buzz/orkut,hi5, digg,Facebook,Twitter,Yahoo!Buzz,YouTube,MySpace, holiday WordPress.ENJOY!KBJCosse'Family

Monday, June 18, 2012

Autism acceptance «NeuroDiversity

"Autistic Pride Day is a celebration of the neurodiversity of people on the autism spectrum on June 18 each year.[1] Autistic pride is pride in autism, about shifting views of autism from "disease" to "difference". Autistic pride emphasizes the innate potential in all human phenotypic expressions and celebrates the diversity various neurological types express.
Autistic Pride Day is an Aspies for Freedom initiative,[1] an autism rights group that aims to educate the general public with initiatives to end ignorance of the issues involving the autistic community."Public Event · By Anthony O'Hagan

Read about a mother's hope for her child's neurodiversity to be accepted.

June 18, 2012 by Faiza Mirza

“I want my daughter to live a normal and healthy life but every time I take her out to an amusement park or for a walk, she gets frightened. The reason why she does not want to go out and play is because most of the parents do not let their kids play with her, always thinking that she will become violent and attack them if some thing goes against her will.”
“She is beautiful and different from the rest of the kids and incredibly responsive towards me. I appreciate her because she is unique in her own way,” she added.

It is important to realise that autistic children are mentally healthy. In fact, some of them have a brilliant imagination and creative sense, whereas others can flourish to great academic heights. An autistic child reacts differently to external stimuli because he/she is unable to interact socially. Hence, we’re responsible of socially accommodating them so that they grow up to become healthy individuals

It is important to realise that autistic children are mentally healthy. In fact, some of them have a brilliant imagination and creative sense, whereas others can flourish to great academic heights. An autistic child reacts differently to external stimuli because he/she is unable to interact socially. Hence, we’re responsible of socially accommodating them so that they grow up to become healthy individuals.
Amina Siddiqui, speech and language therapist and also the Director of Ziauddin College of Speech and Language Therapy, very rightly called the segregation of autistic children as ‘criminal’ as it further deteriorates their confidence.
Pakistan is still amongst those countries in which the general population confuses ASD with other disorders such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or mental retardation. It is imperative to state that the symptoms and condition of a child affected by ASD are very different from the other aforementioned disorders and should be addressed immediately.
“A child suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder has definite symptoms, the most important being that an autistic child will never make eye contact. Generally, an 18-month-old child is able to communicate his/her needs by gesturing or pointing in a particular direction, however an autistic child is unable to do so,” said Siddiqui.
Now many children are shy and avoid social interaction, however, an autistic child will display unusual behaviour if found in a situation which disturbs his/her routine. The child will either cry uncontrollably or act nervous; however, they remain docile most of the time and do not harm anyone. An autistic child has other impediments also such as difficulty in paying attention and memorising.

About Our Family

a 'uniquely different' family: married 15 years with a 5 year old son who brings us enormous joy; we love, support,appreciate, advocate,and hope for our joyous child who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum - considered a neurological condition and a developmental disABILITY. We enjoy nature walks, bowling, movies, blogging, beignets, traveling,parks, camping and laughing!